Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar, a formidable all-rounder, gained recognition for his exceptional performances on the domestic and international stage. Born in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, Shankar showcased his talent early in his career and has since become an integral part of Indian cricket.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Vijay Shankar made his debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2012 Ranji Trophy, making an immediate impact with a half-century and two wickets. However, it was the 2014-15 season that marked his breakthrough, where he amassed over 500 runs with an impressive average of 57.7. His performances earned him a spot in the India A squad against Australia.

Rise to International Prominence

Primarily a batsman with useful seam-bowling abilities, Shankar was first included in the Test squad in 2017 as a replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but he didn’t debut then. His chance came in the T20I squad during the Nidahas Trophy, where he won the Man of the Match award in his second game. Following Hardik Pandya’s suspension in early 2019, Shankar was called up for the remaining ODIs in Australia and the New Zealand series, where his 45-run knock in challenging conditions in Wellington demonstrated his prowess.

2019 Cricket World Cup and Notable Performances

Vijay Shankar was selected for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, creating a buzz in the media. In a match against Pakistan, he became the first Indian and third overall to take a wicket with his opening ball in a World Cup match. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him for India’s final matches, but he impressed with a key innings of 41 against Australia.

Indian Premier League and Recent Success

For the IPL 2019, Shankar returned to Hyderabad. The ICC recognized him as one of the eight players to watch in March 2019 ahead of the league. In February 2022, Gujarat acquired him for INR 1.4 crore. While he had limited opportunities initially, Shankar silenced critics with outstanding performances in the 2023 season, scoring a highest of 63 not out and three half-centuries, exceeding 1,000 career runs with six half-centuries to his name.

FAQs About Vijay Shankar

Q: When did Vijay Shankar make his debut in domestic cricket?
A: Vijay Shankar debuted for Tamil Nadu in the 2012 Ranji Trophy.

Q: How did Vijay Shankar perform in the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
A: Shankar became the first Indian to take a wicket with his opening World Cup delivery and scored an important 41 against Australia before an injury ended his tournament early.

Q: Which IPL teams has Vijay Shankar played for?
A: Vijay Shankar has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Q: What notable achievements did Vijay Shankar have in the Nidahas Trophy?
A: Shankar won the Man of the Match award in his second game for his impactful performance during the Nidahas Trophy.

Q: How did Vijay Shankar bounce back in the IPL 2023?
A: In the 2023 season, Shankar scored a highest of 63 not out, recorded three half-centuries, and exceeded 1,000 career runs, proving his critics wrong.